AWARDS:: * Best Documentary award at Burgas International Film Festival
* Best Documentary Film at the Third Valletta Film Festival 2017
* Justice Matters Award-Honorable Mention at Washington International Film Festival
"The Good Postman drew us in to the moving story of Ivan, the postman in a small dying village in eastern Bulgaria. The compelling characters, the humor and the deep humanity of this beautifully made film create its impact. It is a microcosm of universal issues: the refugee crisis, the plight of rural areas and the complexities of a local election." * Objectif d'or - Millenium International Documentary Film Festival
* Osservatorio Balcani e Caucaso Award - Trieste Film Festival
* Special Prize - Tampere Film Festival
* Youth Jury Prize - FIFDH
* Special Mention - Let’s CEE Festival

The Good Postman

Category |

Current Affairs, Human Interest, Migration, Politics

Year |

2016

Country |

Finland

Running time |

80'

Format |

HD

Production |

Making Movies Oy

Director |

Tonislav Hristov

A small Bulgarian village just by the Turkish border has been resisting foreign invaders since the times of the Ottoman Empire. Now its electorate of 38 elderly Bulgarians is facing a tough decision. The Great Gate, as the village has been called for centuries because of its location, has found itself in the middle of a European crisis, as at nights asylum seekers sneak passing the border. The forgotten village has become the most important secret loophole of Europe.

Ivan, the local postman, has a vision. He decides to run for mayor and turn the dying village alive by welcoming refugees. His opponents want to close their eyes, close down the border and reintroduce communism. As the campaign goes on, Ivan soon learns that while good intentions are not enough, even the smallest deeds matter.

''Welcome to the far reaches of Europe, where even the tiny village of Great Dervent isn’t immune to the hot blast of ultra-right nationalism which is sweeping the continent. Tonislav Hristov’s documentary is decidedly cinematic and timely.''
- Fionnuala Halligan, Chief Film Critic - Screen Daily IDFA review